I Was Blind, Now I See/ Jesus, Hope for the Nation

I want to start this blog by looking at an account of a man who was blind from birth, who received his sight after an encounter with Jesus.  The account is in John 9:1-34.  I suggest you read the entire portion of scripture, however, today I will share just a small part of it.  John 9:1-7, "Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing."  Following the miracle, there arose a large discussion among the neighbors concerning whether of not this was really the blind man, and then, among the Pharisees as to whether Jesus was from God, since the miracle had taken place on the Sabbath.  Then, after the healed man told them he thought Jesus was a prophet, they questioned whether or not he had been blind. The parents were brought in to verify this was their son who had been born blind.  The parent's responded that this was their son who had been born blind, but when it came to telling them how he received his sight they said, in verse 23, "He is of age, ask him" Then, that brings us to verses 24 and 25, "So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, "Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner." 25 He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."

 The television series, "The Chosen", which has become very popular, gives an account from the life of Mary Magdalene, who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, and delivered from seven demons. (Luke 8:2)  I realize the writers take a lot of artistic or creative license because the details are not given in scripture, however, the truth of her statement in the show, when questioned about how she was set free is dynamic, just the same as the blind man in John 9:25.  Mary Magdalene said, " I was one way and now I am completely different.  And the thing that happened in between was Him." (Jesus)

 Let's look at what Jesus spoke to unbelieving Jews and to his disciples concerning whether or not He was the Messiah.  John 10:25 and 36-38, "Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. ... 36 "do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 37 "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 "but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."  Then, to Philip, in John 14:11, He said, "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.  Basically, Jesus told them, "If you cannot believe because of what you hear, believe because of what you see."  Friends, it is true, Jesus makes a difference!  He creates a change!  This is a reality that many of us share with Mary Magdalene and the blind man.  When Christ came into our lives, we became new creations.  (2 Corinthians 5:17).

 When a person or a nation is in need of a Savior, Jesus is the only One, who can successfully respond to that need.  Many in the United States of America, have been looking to politicians, celebrities, or sports stars to be the change makers and savior of the nation.  They look to man rather than to God.  The only One, Who can save the life of an individual or the life of a nation is Jesus Christ.  He is the only Savior God has provided.  John 3:16-21, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

 Just as it was in the world, when Jesus came as a man and began His ministry, so it is in our nation now.  As a nation, we have fallen far from the godly truths it was founded upon.  Ungodliness has taken over the hearts and minds of the people.  Each generation has become less godly than the one before it.  The leadership that is allowed to rule reveals the hearts of the people.  Even those who have encountered the truth, refuse to take a stand for it.  Many in the church have become weak, apathetic, complacent, and deceived.  The root of the problem with our nation is not a political one, it is spiritual.  This nation, aside from a small remnant, has turned it's back on God and His Word.  Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach (shame) to any people."  1 Peter 3:10-12, "For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Do you see it?  The face of the Lord is against those who do evil (of a mode of thinking, feeling, acting; base, wrong, wicked).  God is calling the church to repentance and a return to righteousness. 

 1 Corinthians15:34, "Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." Titus 2:11-14, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."

Hosea 10:12, "Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you."

1 John 2:15-17, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."  Friends, any thinking that goes against the Word of God is worldly thinking.  If you believe that, same sex marriage is right, abortion is right, children should be able to decide what gender they are, the cancel culture is right, (because you disagree with someone), or that it is right to teach children to experiment sexually, to have field trips which involve protesting, then, you have bought into unrighteousness and have allowed the things of the world to overtake you.

 Our righteousness can only come through our relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ!  1 Corinthians 1:30, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption." Philippians 3:9,10, "and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith"

2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  "Righteousness" according to the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, used here, is the Greek word, dikaiosune (dik-ah-yos-oo-nay) means: "just, the quality of being right.  Broadly, the word means conformity to the revealed will of God in all respects.  It is both judicial and gracious, in the sense of acquitting him, and imparts righteousness to him."

Jesus is the only way of salvation for individuals or a nation.  Acts 4:10-12, "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 

Only through faith in Jesus Christ can this nation be saved.  This nation was founded upon this truth.  And now, only through a return to our faith and this truth can we be saved.  Our enemy, the devil, has raised his ugly head but an awakened church will defeat him!  1 John 4:4, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 

 Just as Jesus won the victory through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave, He is still our victory today.  Only Jesus can save us and bring peace to our world.  The one world government (which our present leaders are leading us to) of man cannot do it.  Man is not God nor can he ever be.  There is only one world government that will bring peace and that will occur during the millennial rule of Christ, when He reigns with a rod of iron.  Revelation 20:1-6, "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is]he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."  Isaiah 2:4, "He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." 

The Lord is coming back without question.  Will you be ready?  2 Peter 3:10-14," But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" 

 Amen

 A side note:  I believe God has anointed "The Chosen" tv series for this time.  If you have not seen it or have unbelieving friends who need to be born again , the Lord is using this work to draw people into the Word of God and into a relationship with Himself.  The app is : TheChosen.tv/app

 Season one is there and season two will begin on Sunday April 4, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. It is also available on YouTube.